Our Purpose
When medical problems got worse for our sweet little girl she didn't know who to trust. The revolving door of doctors and nurses coming through her hospital room, performing tests, taking blood, speaking what sounded to her like a foreign language, our Izzy was so uncomfortable she even looked at us, her parents, with complete distrust.
From this, Team Izzy was started. We were all on her team, supporting and encouraging her, trying our hardest to make her better. Whether it was her surgeon, a nurse, a family friend or a sibling, we were all on her team, working together to make her well.
Team Izzy symbolizes a group of people supporting kids, trying to help them make sense of their medical journeys, letting them know that no matter what they're not alone.
The world of transplant and regenerative medicine is fascinating. There has been incredible progress in the past thirty years and yet there is still so much more progress that needs to be made.
Although we are so incredibly grateful for the generosity of others and her successful liver transplant, transplant is not a cure and we need to keep fighting to keep all the transplant warriors alive.
From daily immunosuppression medicines, to bouts of rejection, infections and other complications there are many doctors and medical professionals who dedicate their lives to keep these children not only alive but thriving.
Join Team Izzy and help support the Pediatric Transplant Program at SickKids Hospital.
What You Fund
SO THAT MORE PATIENTS SURVIVE AND THRIVE
SickKids is the largest paediatric liver transplant program in Canada, performing more than 75% of the country's paediatric liver transplants (roughly 30 a year). As innovators in transplantation and regenerative medicine, SickKids is uniquely positioned to make life-changing discoveries that can be quickly translated into clinical practice.
Your Impact
PATIENT SUPPORTS: a dedicated psychologist and psychometrist to support the unique mental health and neurological needs of liver-transplant patients.
FAMILY SUPPORTS: a dietician to support families in optimal nutrition post liver-transplant, and a dedicated Patient Amenities Fund to support low income families with daily expenses at hospital.
FELLOWSHIPS & INNOVATORS: attract and retain the most promising talent from around the world to contribute new knowledge, innovative ideas and fresh perspectives that will impact post-transplant care.
LECTURESHIPS & CONFERENCES: attract national and international experts to SickKids for annual lectures and a biannual conference on paediatric liver disease & transplant.
CATALYST GRANTS: a critical springboard for research teams to pursue innovative ideas that will impact clinical care for liver transplant patients like Izzy.
